<snip>The pain in doing the above is that each drive, I assume, would need to be paired to the cc separately. If someone wanted to have an inventory of drives, the old method of copying a newly paired drive would be easier to manage, IMO.

Click to expand...

Unless you live in my Cox market. Somehow, they've made it where only the last drive paired works. I've tried drive after drive, in multiple TiVos, reproducing the result. Every time I pair, and all works, I cloned the drive to an identical drive, then installed, to find pairing had to be repeated.

I get jumped every time I state this... But, it seems the cablecard knows the drive S/N has changed, and nulls out the pairing. I don't know exactly HOW it can know, I after 20+ attempts, I feel the results show it is the case.

I didn't have this problem until the second-to-last time the cards received updated firmware.

Unless you live in my Cox market. Somehow, they've made it where only the last drive paired works. I've tried drive after drive, in multiple TiVos, reproducing the result. Every time I pair, and all works, I cloned the drive to an identical drive, then installed, to find pairing had to be repeated.

I get jumped every time I state this... But, it seems the cablecard knows the drive S/N has changed, and nulls out the pairing. I don't know exactly HOW it can know, I after 20+ attempts, I feel the results show it is the case.

I didn't have this problem until the second-to-last time the cards received updated firmware.

As far as pluging the eSATA hole in S3, that was done in order to control the eSATA drive choice. Hard to provide support/warranty to the masses with that big of an unknown.

Click to expand...

Nobody (at the time you posted this) knows. I've asked the same thing, and asked that upgraders who don't boot the factory drive do a full DVRBARS backup and send it over to the author of the program to look at.

So far, nobody has even uttered a peep about doing so, or those posts. I'm still catching up on today's posts, so maybe I'll see something later.

Any chance amseven11 wants to put the original drive back in and go through the setup to see what happens?

Click to expand...

He doesn't seem to be interested in doing anything more than posting and reposting what he already did, while waiting for his cable service and cablecard. I even suggested making a paperclip antenna, and setting it to OTA only, to test out it's full-functionality, but no responses on the matter. I think we'll have to wait for somebody who is willing to try what MANY keep asking and/or asking for.

Unless you live in my Cox market. Somehow, they've made it where only the last drive paired works. I've tried drive after drive, in multiple TiVos, reproducing the result. Every time I pair, and all works, I cloned the drive to an identical drive, then installed, to find pairing had to be repeated.

I get jumped every time I state this... But, it seems the cablecard knows the drive S/N has changed, and nulls out the pairing. I don't know exactly HOW it can know, I after 20+ attempts, I feel the results show it is the case.

I didn't have this problem until the second-to-last time the cards received updated firmware.

Click to expand...

If you take a cable card that is paired to a working TiVo, power down the TiVo, remove the cable and place it in another TiVo (or TV cable card slot) turn on the power, don't try to pair the card then power off the unit and put the card back into the original TiVo you will find that the data has changed and the card must be re-paired. This is how the Comcast system works for my area.

He doesn't seem to be interested in doing anything more than posting and reposting what he already did, while waiting for his cable service and cablecard. I even suggested making a paperclip antenna, and setting it to OTA only, to test out it's full-functionality, but no responses on the matter. I think we'll have to wait for somebody who is willing to try what MANY keep asking and/or asking for.

Click to expand...

Maybe you should re-read what you just wrote, because it seems that you are irritated that someone who has provided very valuable information isn't willing to run your experiments for you.

If it's so damn important to you then consider offering a Paypal reward to cover someones time and risk to their unit to start doing these things and posting them here. Otherwise, just try patience.

If you take a cable card that is paired to a working TiVo, power down the TiVo, remove the cable and place it in another TiVo (or TV cable card slot) turn on the power, don't try to pair the card then power off the unit and put the card back into the original TiVo you will find that the data has changed and the card must be re-paired. This is how the Comcast system works for my area.

Click to expand...

I am aware that you can't move the cards around. I'm talking about the same box, with the same card, and only the hard drive S/N changes.

I'm not sure I buy everything they say though. If you look at the stuff they told Dave Zatz they claimed that they were going to be selling upgrade kits. But why would you be selling upgrade kits if all you need is a drive and the right screwdriver bit? So I'm not sure I'm believing what they say.

Click to expand...

It's still a "kit" if it includes the drive and the screw driver.

And as long as their "kits" aren't too expensive people might still buy them. Those torx screw drivers aren't always easy to find locally. I remember having a bear of a time finding one when I did a drive replacement on a S2 years ago. I think I ended up buying a complete set from Lowes for like $20. So if someone can get the drive and the tools for a reasonable price they might still go for it.

And as long as their "kits" aren't too expensive people might still buy them. Those torx screw drivers aren't always easy to find locally. I remember having a bear of a time finding one when I did a drive replacement on a S2 years ago. I think I ended up buying a complete set from Lowes for like $20. So if someone can get the drive and the tools for a reasonable price they might still go for it.

Click to expand...

$6.68 with free prime shipping.... but yes, you're right, some people will buy a "kit" instead.

One area where Weaknees can justify it is they offer a warranty as well as technical support. Even though to most of us this is so easy it's laughable, most of us haven't talked to my in-laws.

Maybe you should re-read what you just wrote, because it seems that you are irritated that someone who has provided very valuable information isn't willing to run your experiments for you.

If it's so damn important to you then consider offering a Paypal reward to cover someones time and risk to their unit to start doing these things and posting them here. Otherwise, just try patience.

Click to expand...

I'm not the only one who's asking the same questions, and hoping for some answers. Others have also asked for more from the person who gave us this valuable info.

I'm holding-off on buying until I get those answers, and I'm sure they WILL come, just from somebody else willing to do more. Each person that is willing to take it further to answer these questions will be the new hero/superstar. If this same person had been willing to do it, they'd be godlike for a lot longer than they will be, by only answering one question.

They answer, essentially, one question (more like an unknown). Now we know, but as in many things in life, a single answer often leads to more questions.

I'm taking the high-road, and not posting what I'd really like to finish this post with, regarding your condescending tone/remarks.

And as long as their "kits" aren't too expensive people might still buy them. Those torx screw drivers aren't always easy to find locally. I remember having a bear of a time finding one when I did a drive replacement on a S2 years ago. I think I ended up buying a complete set from Lowes for like $20. So if someone can get the drive and the tools for a reasonable price they might still go for it.

Click to expand...

Try Harbor Freight Tools. They sell a kit that includes every bit and security bit ever made, with a driver handle, for $19.99, when at full price.

Their tools generally are cheap, and break quickly if you try to use them for hard jobs, but you could upgrade TiVos (and most CE devices) for a lifetime, even with the low-quality materials they use to make them.

They have multiple retail stores in my locale. They used to be mail-order only. Since they DO offer a LIFETIME warranty for all "hand tools", having retail stores makes it less risky buying something of low-quality.